Review regulation of protein function by glutathionylation

P Ghezzi - Free radical research, 2005 - Taylor & Francis
Free radical research, 2005Taylor & Francis
The main function of reduced glutathione (GSH) is to protect from oxidative stress as a
reactive oxygen scavenger. However, in the context of redox regulation, the ratio between
GSH and its oxidized form (GSSG) determines the redox state of redox-sensitive cysteines in
some proteins and, thus, acts as a signaling system. While GSH/GSSG can catalyze oxido-
reduction of intra-and inter-chain disulfides by thiol-disulfide exchange, this review focuses
on the formation of mixed disulfides between glutathione and proteins, also known as …
The main function of reduced glutathione (GSH) is to protect from oxidative stress as a reactive oxygen scavenger. However, in the context of redox regulation, the ratio between GSH and its oxidized form (GSSG) determines the redox state of redox-sensitive cysteines in some proteins and, thus, acts as a signaling system. While GSH/GSSG can catalyze oxido-reduction of intra- and inter-chain disulfides by thiol-disulfide exchange, this review focuses on the formation of mixed disulfides between glutathione and proteins, also known as glutathionylation. The review discusses the regulatory role of this post-translational modification and the role of protein disulfide oxidoreductases (thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase, glutaredoxin, protein disulfide isomerase) in the reversibility of this process.
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